County by county news for Saturday

School board members voted 5-1 Wednesday in favor of the same map that got their preliminary nod in July. It maintains seven school board member posts but alters the boundaries.

The reapportionment map is a recommendation to Georgia legislators. Each decade, state lawmakers redraw the maps based upon the results of the federal census. See Cobb’s proposed map here: www.cobbk12.org/board/ReapportionmentMap.pdf Ty Tagami

Contractors selected for school projects

Contractors on several school system construction projects in Cobb County have been selected.

Hogan Construction Group of Norcross was the low bidder on the long-awaited renovation of Wheeler High School, for which the county school system has budgeted $20 million.

Cablik Enterprises of Atlanta was selected to upgrade the Pitts Transportation Department support facility on South Cobb Drive, a project to cost about $1 million. And Mooney Construction Inc. of Woodstock was selected to update Sope Creek Elementary School, a project to cost around $3 million. Ty Tagami

Students allowed water on school buses

The oppressive heat is leading Cobb County Schools to again relax its restriction on drinking water aboard school buses.

Throughout August and September, students will be allowed to bring water onto buses as long as they’re drinking from containers with secure lids or caps.

“We started doing that last year just to accommodate kids in the heat,” school system spokesman Jay Dillon said. Ty Tagami

Commissioners go to grand jury Aug. 19

Cobb County Commissioners are scheduled to appear Aug. 19 before the current installment of a county grand jury.

The district attorney’s office did not disclose what topics the commission would discuss. In June, a grand jury called County Manager David Hankerson to answer questions about the county’s hiring process, and late last year about his administrative responsibilities and fund transfers involving the county’s water system.

Cobb’s grand juries, convened for two-month terms, regularly call in officials to discuss county business. Janel Davis

Town hall meeting on ‘soft skills’ Monday

Gov. Nathan Deal’s Office of Workforce Development will host a town hall meeting from 6:30-8 p.m. Monday at Chattahoochee Technical College in Marietta about plans to teach non-academic skills for the workplace. House Bill 186 this year authorized the certification of “soft skills,” such as punctuality, learning ability, dressing appropriately and teamwork. Ty Tagami

Cumberland CID board to meet Aug. 25

The Cumberland Community Improvement District board of directors will meet at 7:30 a.m. Aug. 25 at the Cobb Chamber of Commerce, 240 Interstate North Parkway, Atlanta. For information: 770-859-2357. Laurie Hoffman

GWINNETT

School enrollment count under projections

The first enrollment count for Gwinnett County Public Schools found the district 5,500 students under projections.

The enrollment count was 156,959 students. The school system’s post-Labor Day forecast is 162,459. Last school year, more than 5,000 students returned to rosters by Labor Day.

School officials expect another increase by Labor Day and will monitor growth.

The remaining enrollment counts will be conducted on Aug. 15, Aug. 22, Aug. 29 and Sept. 6. D. Aileen Dodd

Charter school buys campus facility

New Life Academy of Excellence, the district’s first start-up charter school, has completed the purchase of its Duluth campus facility. The 40,000 square foot, one-level brick building is located at 4725 River Green Parkway. The building was purchased from Germania of America, Inc. for over $ 2 million. D. Aileen Dodd

Group to protest at Japanese consulate

A protest will be held Monday for Hoon “Scott” Kang, a Buford man who died under mysterious circumstances last year on a trip to Japan.

Friends and family members will picket from noon to 1:30 p.m. outside the Japanese Consulate-General’s office at 3500 Lenox Road in Atlanta. The group has a petition requesting an investigation of Kang’s death. Kang died after he was found in the stairwell of a building in 2010. Tokyo police ruled the death accidental from falling down the stairs, but family members believe Kang was beaten and robbed. Andria Simmons

Duluth plans party for 7 new businesses

Merchants on Duluth’s Main Street will host a grand opening celebration for seven new businesses on the morning of Sept. 17.The festivities will start at 11 a.m. Visitors can enjoy an outdoor art exhibit or shop at the stores along Main Street, which will host open houses and offer special discounts. Information: www.historicduluthga.net. Joel Anderson

‘American Girl Doll’ author to be at library

The Friends of the Gwinnett County Public Library will host a brunch and book signing with “American Girl Doll” author Evelyn Coleman from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Aug. 27 at the California Pizza Kitchen, 5173 Peachtree Parkway, Norcross. Tickets cost $25 per child. For information and to buy tickets, visit www.friendsgcpl.org or call 678-559-8669. David Wickert

Parkview team give proceeds to cancer fight

The Parkview High School softball team will join efforts with the National Foundation for Cancer Research (NFCR) as part of a campaign dubbed “Beat Cancer with a Bat.”

The campaign invites softball teams from around the country to donate proceeds from at least one game during the season to NFCR.

Parkview’s featured game will be 7 p.m. Aug. 23 against Central Gwinnett High at Parkview High’s field. Admission is $6.

Information: www.nfcr.org/beatcancerwithabat. Joel Anderson

NORTHSIDE

Friends place jailed Chicken Man’s animals

Friends of Andrew Wordes, the Roswell man jailed Wednesday for violating his probation, have placed the animals left at his property. About a dozen volunteers showed up soon after his sentencing and spent the evening collecting more than 50 chickens and turkeys, four pigs and one dog to adopt out. The group plans to return Saturday to organize and landscape the property, said Patti Silva who participated in the effort. Wordes’, famed for his battles with the city over keeping livestock, is serving three months of a one-year sentence for code violations. Patrick Fox

Animal control panel to make site visit

The Forsyth County Animal Control and Shelter Advisory Committee has scheduled a site visit and tour as part of its regular meeting at 6:45 p.m. Tuesday at the Forsyth County Animal Shelter, 1904 Old Atlanta Road, Cumming.

The committee plans to continue discussions for design of a new shelter. Patrick Fox

Health and wellness fair today in Roswell

North Fulton Community Charities is sponsoring a back-to-school health and wellness fair from 9 a.m. to noon today at the NFCC office, 11270 Elkins Road, Roswell. The event will offer limited health screenings, safety and nutrition information. Organizers will also provide backpacks and school supplies. Information: 678-521-7481. Patrick Fox

Sandy Springs charter panel to meet Tuesday

The Sandy Springs Charter Commission will meet Tuesday, as it continues its five-year review of the city governing document. The meeting will begin at 4 p.m., in the board room at City Hall, 7840 Roswell Road, Building 500. The meeting is open to the public and interested persons may email members of the Commission with their input and ideas at charter.commission@sandyspringsga.org. To view a copy of the charter, or for more information, visit www.sandyspringsga.org or call 770-730-5600. Michelle Shaw

Child seat inspections on Wednesday

Fulton County’s Safe Kids Division will have a free child safety seat workshop in Sandy Springs on Wednesday, starting at 9:30 a.m. at the North Fulton Service Center, 7741 Roswell Road.

It’s part of a series of sessions this summer teaching parents and caregivers about the requirements of Georgia’s new Booster Seat Law, which went into effect July 1, as well as proper car seat and booster seat installation. Information: 404-613-1309 or www.fultoncountygahealth.org. Johnny Edwards

School board member to hold meetings

Fulton County school board members have set their August community meetings. On the northside, they include: Linda Schultz, District 1 at 9:30 a.m. Monday at the Teaching Museum North; Katie Reeves, District 2, 9:30 a.m. Aug. 17 at Creek View Elementary, Alpharetta; Linda McCain, District 5, 9:30 a.m. Aug. 16 at Autrey Mill Middle, Johns Creek; and Julia Bernath, District 7, 9:30 a.m. Aug. 16 at Dunwoody Springs Elementary. New school board district boundaries are on the agenda. Nancy Badertscher

ATLANTA

APS reorganizes technology division

The Atlanta school board Monday voted to reorganize the district’s information technology division, despite objections from some community members. As a result of the reorganization, 31 positions will be abolished while 36 new positions will be created. District officials said the changes were overdue and necessary to update the department. The changes are cost-neutral according to officials. Jaime Sarrio

King Center to focus on fighting violence

The King Center, along with local officials to present a Peace Plan -- to combat violence in six metro Atlanta counties -- at 11 a.m. Monday their headquarters, 449 Auburn Ave.

The Peace Plan is aimed at coordinating programs throughout metro Atlanta under one umbrella in hopes of educating and impacting hundreds of thousands or possibly millions of residents.Ernie Suggs

Southeastern Theatre group to hold auditions

The Southeastern Theatre Conference is offering actors, singers and dancers the opportunity to audition for over 30 professional companies on Sept. 11 and 12 at the Hilton Atlanta Airport Hotel, 1031 Virginia Avenue, Atlanta.

Employment is for the 2011-2012 productions. The cost to register is $45 by Monday. Walk-in applications accepted onsite after Monday for a fee of $60. Pre-registration is required.

For registration and information, visit www.setc.org. Contact: 336-272-3645 or april@setc.org. Jemea Watkins

‘GWTW’ discussion at library Saturday

Atlanta-Fulton’s Central Library will have a panel discussion today titled “Gone With the Wind in the 21st Century: Is Margaret Mitchell’s Beloved Bestseller Still Worth Reading?,” with a group of history and literary experts exploring the modern relevance of the 1936 epic novel.

The event starts at noon at One Margaret Mitchell Square in downtown Atlanta. Information: 404-730-1896. Johnny Edwards

DEKALB

Three schools get federal grants

Three DeKalb High Schools got about $3 million in federal grants from the Department of Education to help the schools shore-up student academic improvement. The schools, Clarkston, McNair and Towers high schools were identified as the county’s lowest performing schools under the “No Child Left Behind” act. Towers received the most with $1.3 million, with Clarkston receiving more than $881,000 and McNair about $800,00 for the new school year which began this week. Rich McKay

Decatur receives grant to plan for trees

The Georgia Forestry Commission recently awarded Decatur a $14,000 matching grant toward the city’s Urban Forest Management Plan. Planning Director Amanda Thompson said the first step is taking inventory of all trees on city-owned property. “One of the important parts of this,” she said, “is deciding what we want our tree canopy to look like.”

Thompson added the city will not remove any currently healthy trees. Bill Banks for the AJC

County to hold neighborhood summit

DeKalb County is inviting residents to the 2011 Neighborhood Summit under the Civic League for Regional Atlanta.

The daylong event includes workshops on topics such as managing neighborhoods dealing with foreclosures, regional transit and other issues.

The summit runs from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 24 at the Loudermilk Center on Courtland Street in Atlanta.

Registration is $15 until Aug. 15 and $25 after.

Information: http://civicleagueatlanta.org. April Hunt

Lithonia officials want grants for water

Lithonia Mayor Tonya Peterson Anderson was among city officials who recently met with state and federal environmental agencies to discuss how the south DeKalb city can get grants to help with water quality, drainage and other issues.

Members of the city council were also on hand for the meetings with representatives from the state Environmental Protection Division and federal Environmental Protection Agency.

The city has worked with an outside contractor for two years to meet federal regulations and identify funding for infrastructural improvement.

More information: 678-999-0173. April Hunt

Foundation offers free tutoring

The Kiddie Kuts Foundation will offer free tutoring for children from kindergarten to 8th grade, from 2 p.m. until 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Information: Kiddie Kuts Salon, 4719 Ashford Dunwoody Road, at 770-399-5437. Michelle E. Shaw

Dunwoody Music Festival gears up

Plans are under way for the 2011 Dunwoody Music Festival, which will be held Oct. 22-23 at Brook Run Park. Local musicians who want to participate have until Monday to complete an on-line application and submit a demo.

Food and marketplace vendor applications are also being accepted. For more information, and submission guideline, visit www.DunwoodyMusicFestival.com. Michelle E. Shaw

SOUTHSIDE

Peachtree City opens biosolids treatment plant

Peachtree City unveiled a new biosolids treatment facility on Friday that will keep waste from going to waste.

The $2 million project is the result of a partnership between the Water & Sewerage Authority and AGL Energy Services. Fueled by natural gas, the unit uses high heat to transform wastewater sludge into a pathogen-free dried material that will be sold for use as fertilizer and soil amendments. The facility reduces WASA’s operating costs and carbon footprint by eliminating the need to truck sludge outside the county for disposal. Jill Howard Church

School board asks input on redistricting

Fulton County school board members are preparing for the once-a-decade changes in their districts that are necessitated by the 2010 U.S. Census. This process, known as reapportionment, fulfills the legal requirements of the “one-man, one vote” principal of equal representation.

Draft maps of the new districts are now available, and public comments are welcome by email at communications@fultonschools.org or in person at the board’s August meeting. Nancy Badertscher

Linda Bryant to hold community meeting

Fulton County school board members have set their August community meetings. On the southside, it will be Linda Bryant, District 4, 6:30 p.m. Monday at Sandtown Middle School, Atlanta. New school board district boundaries are on the agenda. Nancy Badertscher

Fire battalion chief completes Harvard class

Fulton Fire Rescue Battalion Chief John Reed has completed the Senior Executives in State and Local Government program at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government.

The program focuses on new ways to address policy issues, and fostering improved relationships between government entities and their citizens and leadership.

Reed is a 24-year veteran of Fulton County Fire Rescue. Laurie Hoffman

Report: Crime down in Peachtree City

The Peachtree City Police Department’s annual report for 2010 shows a 28 percent decrease in major crimes from 2009.

Part 1 offenses (including homicide, rape, aggravated assault, larceny, burglary, arson, robbery and motor vehicle theft) declined, as did property theft and entering autos. Police patrols of the golf cart paths increased 83 percent over the previous year, which resulted in a tripling of cart-related citations. General traffic citations also increased.

The full report is available at www.peachtree-city.org/police. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Slots available for Citizens Police Academy

The next 10-week session of the Citizen’s Police Academy, sponsored by the Henry County Police Department, begins soon. Classes are held each Tuesday from 6-8 p.m. The program is free. A few slots are still available.

Download the application form at www.henrycounty-ga.org or call 770-288-8285 for information. Monroe Roark for the AJC